Global picture: Over 14000 Persons Infected With Monkey Pox; What to Know
The monkey pox virus is gradually gaining momentum as over 14000 persons get infected. Ghana is of no isolation as we had our share of the disease and currently reported in 70 countries across the world.
The monkey pox disease just like other small pox has been on the African continent since 1970 but never garnered the traction it is gaining now. In this piece of educative write-up, we are going to look at the symptoms, mode of transmission, persons at high risk and prevention.
Let’s first look at what monkey pox is;
According to WHO it is a disease cause by monkey pox virus. It is a disease that can spread from animals to persons and persons to persons; as a result it is termed as zoonotic infection.
Symptoms
Monkey pox virus has variable degree of symptoms, some people experience symptoms and others do not. Generally, common symptoms include;
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches
Back pain
Low energy
Swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms usually come with rashes on the body. Rashes can be formed on palm, throat, hands, face, feet, mouth, eyes, etc.
How can the disease transfer from person to person?
Monkey pox disease is spread through bodily contact. This could be mouth to mouth (kissing), skin-to-skin, mouth to skin, and even through sexual contact. Anyone with the rashes can transmit the disease to you. Studies are currently being learned to know when an infected person is infectious and non-infectious.
Also note that, contaminated surfaces can lead to the transmission of the disease from person to person. Surfaces which are frequently touched is one of the ways you get infected, if those surfaces come in contact with an infected person.
Persons who are at high risk
Persons living close to infected persons
Newborn infants
Young children
Persons with underlying immune deficiencies are also at a risk
However, individuals who are previously vaccinated against other forms of small poxes have high immunity cover.
How do I prevent myself from getting it?
one of the ways to reduce your chances of catching the disease is by limiting close contact with people.
Practice personal and environments hygiene
Getting vaccinated from a health facility since there are small pox virus vaccines which are proven to be effective to combat the disease.
Note: if you exhibit any of the signs mentioned above, you can isolating yourself and call on medical experts to evacuate you, to test you and be treated.
Thanks for reading, let’s share this piece and save lives. You can visit any nearest health facility to be advised and recommendations about the monkey pox disease.
